Bedes will replace Tim Cowley at number eight (Pic: Cornish Pirates)

The Cornish Pirates have signed French number eight Bertrand Bedes as replacement for skipper Tim Cowley.

Bedes, 27, comes from French side Pau and is the second player to join the Pirates from the club following Canadian lock Mike Burak.

"Having always played in France, I felt that it was about time to discover a new culture and a new style of rugby," Bedes said.

He will be the first Frenchman ever to play for the Cornish Pirates.

Bedes said he had taken advice from a Frenchman at Pirates' rivals the Exeter Chiefs.

"I have also spoken to Nicolas Sestaret, who is moving from Plymouth to Exeter, and he told me a lot of good things about the south-west and also about the Pirates," he said.